On January 13, Dutch pension fund PGGM announced it's divesting from five large Israeli banks. It cited serious international law violations.

Media reports suggest other European banks may follow. ABP and two other major European investors raised concerns about Israeli banks financing illegal settlements.

On January 17, Villar Focchiardo became Italy's 6th local council to condemn Pizzarotti & Co.'s involvement in building a high-speed Jews-only West Bank railway on stolen Palestinian land.

Last summer, Al Haq published a legal opinion. It found "substantial grounds" to hold Pizzarotti responsible for "serious violations of international law such as war crimes of pillage and destruction and appropriation of property."

In 2011, Beutsche Bahn withdrew from the project for this reason. Villar Focchiardo's decision came when other European governments and companies are taking greater care to avoid complicity with Israeli lawlessness.

In December, Britain published new guidelines. They warn about "clear risks related to economic and financial activities in the settlements." They neither encourage or support them.

Romania banned its construction workers from settlement expansion activities. It said doing so violates international law.

It said EU citizens and businesses should "be aware of the potential reputational implications of getting involved in economic and financial activities in settlements, as well as possible rights abuses of individuals."

Israel's military Advocate General lied claiming "no legal obstacle to holding training in inhabited areas as part of maintaining security in the area."

"The orders issued for the drills that take place in populated urban areas include a statute requiring coordination with the ones doing the drill."

"It will also be made clear that as part of the training exercises, the soldiers must avoid putting the population at risk, damaging their property or causing unreasonable disturbance to their daily routine."